Inclusive Mindset is new in the 2026 BASK, and this unit tests the edition change itself: what merged into what, and how the definitions and counts moved.
How it was created
SHRM created one new behavioral competency, Inclusive Mindset, by combining Inclusion & Diversity with Global Mindset to eliminate substantial overlap between the two. It was a consolidation, not a rename and not a split, and Ethical Practice was not involved — it remains its own competency in the Leadership cluster.
Where things sat in 2025
- Inclusion & Diversity was the Leadership cluster's third competency.
- Global Mindset was a separate behavioral competency in the Interpersonal cluster, not the Leadership cluster and not the Business cluster.
- The 2025 document contains zero occurrences of "Inclusive Mindset."
The 2026 definition
The KSAOs needed to create a work environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and feel a sense of belonging, promoting collaboration, understanding and shared purpose across diverse boundaries worldwide to ensure organizational success.
The "worldwide" language is the absorbed Global Mindset content. The definition is not about identical pay for identical titles, identical performance standards, or demographic representation matching the national labor market.
2025 versus 2026 wording
Both versions cover fair and respectful treatment, equal access to opportunities and resources, and a sense of belonging. The difference is only the closing clause:
- 2025 closes with employees using their unique backgrounds and characteristics to contribute fully to the organization's success.
- 2026 closes with collaboration and shared purpose across diverse boundaries worldwide.
Belonging is in both. Equal access is in both. Neither is limited to U.S. operations.
The counts
Three sub-competencies in 2025 under Inclusion & Diversity; five in 2026 under Inclusive Mindset. Do not reverse them, and do not borrow the four from Leadership & Navigation.